Gunshot, Patriot Games

Utter utter genius!!

From their first 12" in 1990 to their last album in 2000, Gunshot have cemented their name in the wall of Hip Hop history. ' Patriot Games' marks a high-point in the group's career and a high-point in UK Rap history. After a string of successful underground 12"s from 1990 to mid 93'with minor-label Vinyl Solution, Gunshot finally released their first album.

After 14 years ' Patriot Games' still sounds fresh and original, combining the brash cockney-patois slang of emcee's Alkaline and Mercury with the soundscape-noise production of White Child Rix.

I must admit that there are moments during this album where time does tell, but for the most part it's good-solid British Hip Hop.

Still a fledgling group in 93', Gunshot advertised themselves very well with their first Compact Disc airing.

As all good UK Rap was in 1993, The overall sound is fairly dark and brooding without slipping into the all-too-easy trap of posturing.

White Child Rix's production and programming sounds second to none, and to compliment this Vinyl Solution took the bold decision to release a short-run of instrumental versions of the platter ( And if you can find THAT on vinyl you are luckier than me!!).

The vocals are handled competently by Mercury and Alkaline but sometimes during this album they lack the writing power and finesse that they acquired in following years.

' Patriot Games' set a standard in Darkcore / Movie-Atmosphere UK Hip Hop in 1993, just as Silver Bullet had in 1991 with his album: 'Bring Down The Walls:No Limit Squad Returns'.

Gunshot followed the album with a tour of sell-out shows around Europe, joined by emcee's Barry Blue and Clivee (who also guested on 2 of the tracks).

Later Gunshot material is tighter and more balanced than the tracks to be found on the disc, but it holds a place dear to the heart's of UK Hip Hop connoisseurs.